Okay, it’s that time of year. We are already in the second month of 2024, and the Steam Next Fest in February 2024 has come and gone. I planned to limit the number of demos I looked at. I resolved to do so many demos every day, a mix of live streams and gameplay footage, and before I realized it, I’d covered 50 demos. So I decided to share my impressions of each demo I played. Because there are 50 demos, I’ll attempt to keep them to at least a small passage per game. Also, to avoid one long article, I am splitting it into seven articles. So, let us continue our adventure through the 50 demos I played during Steam Next Fest.
| STEAM NEXT FEST DAY 5: FEBRURAY 9, 2024 |
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Polychroma Games |
| Publisher | Maximum Entertainment |
| Genre | Interactive Visual Novel |
| Release Date | Coming Soon |
| Platform | PC macOS Steam OS/Linux |
A fateful meeting kicks off a chain reaction that disrupts Mark’s life. People vanish, and recollections prove untrustworthy. Discover a hidden truth alongside Mark and his companions in this narrative adventure, and race to solve the mystery before it’s too late.
This game drew me in because it was more than just a visual novel; it was an interactive visual novel with a compelling beginning to the plot. Mark seems to come from a home where his mother has passed away and his father occasionally acts as though he doesn’t care, believing that providing for him just through money makes me feel bad for him. It seems like Mark has a buddy that understands him, or at least is there to pick up the slack. Louise is another person who tolerates their behavior. To be honest, the game reminded me a lot of Yu Yu Hakusho, which is why I like it.
The tale flowed well and didn’t go too quickly, which let you get to know the characters. I also really liked the artwork. In my opinion, the controls were quite satisfactory. I am also quite grateful for the advances that visual novels have made. I believe that visual novels are entering a new phase. I was raised in a time when reading was the only activity, so I’m excited to see that visual novels are starting to become more interactive. The stories in these works have always been so good, and the interactive elements keep the reader interested. Until Then is definitely something you should add to your wish list if you enjoy visual novels.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Numizmatic |
| Publisher | Numizmatic |
| Genre | Automation Mining |
| Release Date | Coming Soon |
| Platform | PC |
Asteroid mining automation and top-down action collide in Astronomics! Take charge of a devoted group of robots and begin working in the asteroid belt. Make an impression on your employer, improve your gear, fend off pirates, and save money for your trip to Earth so that, at last, you can return home—for the first time.
Top-down action, space exploration, and automation components are all combined in Astronomics to provide a novel and captivating gaming experience. You provide orders to a group of automated workers to mine asteroids, establishing productive production lines and expanding your business. The fact that you could customize your playstyle and explore different asteroid locations by selecting from a variety of organizations and equipment was another appealing feature. A further depth to the experience was added by the game’s suggestion of a deeper narrative about ecological collapse and humanity’s battle in space, which I found enjoyable.
Just so you know, you are playing an Early Access version of the game; hence, certain bugs and unfinished features may be there. Astronomics appears to be a good indie game overall, combining an intriguing storyline with a distinctive set of gameplay. It could be worthwhile to check it out if you appreciate building stuff, automata games, and space travel.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Hadoque |
| Publisher | Kepler Interactive |
| Genre | Metroidvania |
| Release Date | Feb 13, 2024 |
| Price | 24.99 USD |
| Platform | PC macOS |
ULTROS is a psychedelic Metroidvania in which you wake up stuck on The Sarcophagus, a cosmic uterus that houses an ancient demonic creature. Trapped in the loop of a black hole, you must explore The Sarcophagus and meet its inhabitants to determine your role.
Originally, I didn’t have Ultros on my list of games to play, but when another game fell through and I was looking for a replacement, and the colors of the game piqued my interest, I decided to give Ultros a try, and I am so glad I did because man, is it a good game.
The game grabbed me with its graphics and designs, but I will admit that it was often difficult for me to make sense of what was going on due to all the colors. It wasn’t until I returned to the main menu screen that I realized you could outline the character so you could see them. Which is ideal if the art style overwhelms you.
Once you’ve gotten used to the art style, the gameplay is very enjoyable. I loved the leveling-up system, which had some agricultural elements. I appreciated the fact that the game could be played with a DualShock controller. Overall, the game is a lot of fun, and if you like metroidvanias, you should put this one on your list of games to try.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Viabo Games |
| Publisher | Viabo Games |
| Genre | Roguelite Turn-Based Combat |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
Wanderer’s Sigil is a turn-based roguelite with a distinct dice management mechanic. Accept the role of a brave troop of Wanderers in a realm ravaged by mysterious destruction. Manage your caravan, journey into the unknown, regain forgotten wisdom, and fight for survival!
As a Dungeons & Dragons and For the King series fan. I could not have been more eager to play Wanderer’s Sigil: Dice-Fueled Adventure. I did love that you were giving a random group of adventurers to take on a quest. After going over a brief tutorial of what to expect in the game, you are left to play on your own. The dice-based gameplay is innovative and engaging, offering a fresh take on turn-based combat and resource management. However, I did find it sometimes confusing even after the tutorial, and this could be due to my poor memory.
I also believe that the procedurally produced world promotes exploration and replayability. The art style is attractive, and the setting is immersive. Although I prefer hard games, I found the demo to be particularly difficult at points. However, there is still time for modifications.
Overall, Wanderer’s Sigil: Dice-Fueled Adventure looks like a promising title for fans of roguelikes, RPGs, and unusual dice mechanics. If you’re searching for a hard and innovative experience, it’s worth looking into. However, if you prefer refined experiences and dislike permadeath mechanics, you may wish to wait for future updates.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Doot, Blibloop |
| Publisher | Doot |
| Genre | Casual Life Sim |
| Release Date | Feb 28, 2024 |
| Price | 4.99 USD |
| Platform | PC SteamOS/Linux |
Welcome to Minami Lane. Create your own street in this warm, casual management simulator! Unlock and design buildings, manage your stores, and maximize your villagers’ happiness to finish quests and fill your street with love!
I was incredibly eager to play Minami Lane because I was looking for something to unwind and relax with. Minami Lane is without a doubt one of the top ten games I enjoyed most during Steam Next Fest. The demo only enabled you to play two of the game’s missions, which wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to play more; therefore, I was disappointed when the demo finished.
One of the things I’ve noticed in the game is that there will be a sandbox mode, which intrigues me a lot. Following the developer on Twitter [or X], I also noticed that they had added additional features and that there would be at least five missions.
Also, the developer has announced that the game will cost $4.99 when it is released. So there’s no excuse not to add this game to your library. It’s a lot of fun, and despite being a small game, it has a lot of potential, and I, for one, am looking forward to its release.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Massive Miniteam |
| Publisher | HandyGames |
| Genre | Automation Crafting |
| Release Date | Apr 24, 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
In Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure, you get to create automated workshops for your quirky and charming Sparks to carry and make anything, including more of themselves! Lead your Sparks team into war. Explore a bizarre fantasy realm in either single-player or online co-op. Uncover the ancient secret of the Sparks!
The vivid images and unusual Sparks instantly drew me in. The world feels alive with personality, making exploring enjoyable. Oddsparks has depth for automation veterans, but its user-friendly interface makes it an ideal starting point for newbies. There are no conveyor belts here; Sparks does the legwork, providing a new spin to the genre. Set out with your Spark troop to discover mysteries and face obstacles in procedurally created settings. The balance of base development and exploration keeps things interesting.
Keep in mind that Oddsparks is still in early access. Also, the fighting in the game feels a little light, however, future upgrades may add more depth.
Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure is a delightful and captivating experience. Its user-friendly automation, charming setting, and diverse genres make it a must-try for puzzle enthusiasts and curious explorers alike. If you jump in now, expect a little early access polish. Whether you’re an automated veteran or a beginner, Oddsparks provides a unique and enjoyable experience, and I recommend giving it a shot.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Emergo Entertainment |
| Publisher | Nordcurrent Labs |
| Genre | Story Rich Adventure |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
Fireside is an uplifting story about a journey and the breaks that occur along it. Make friends, trade and chat over the campfire, form relationships, and explore a peaceful, magical environment.
I first played Fireside in the summer of 2021, at an event called Indie Arena Booth Summer Camp of Doom. I was apprehensive to revisit Fireside because I had played it three years before, but I’m happy I did because I wanted to see how much it had evolved. Let me tell you, the game looked so different back then than it does now. I’m pleased with how far the game has evolved.
Both the visuals and the story of Fireside seem to have drastically changed. In all honesty, I prefer the main character’s current appearance over that of the past. I also adore how the story’s protagonist occasionally adopts a snarky attitude, which gives the game comic relief. The game, which at first glance seemed to be centered around trade, still does that, but it also included quests that you could complete to advance the narrative. All in all, I had a great time with the demo and am eager to see what else the game has in store for when it launches.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | 3DGoblinDev |
| Publisher | 3DGoblinDev |
| Genre | Sokoban Puzzle |
| Release Date | Q2 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
A cozy yet difficult puzzle game called Mycelium Heaven tells the story of a fungus that eats zombies. With your cunning and logic, you’ll expand, grow, and devour your way through the forest.
The puzzle element of the game drew me in, and I wanted to mix up my coverage a little. I’ll admit that when I initially started playing the game, I wasn’t really sure what was going on, but after I did, I thought it was very entertaining.
The only real problem I had, I believe, was with the gameplay mechanics. Other than that, I didn’t really encounter any issues, and I enjoyed how the puzzles got harder as you progressed while still being somewhat enjoyable to do. I strongly suggest checking out Mycelium Heaven if you like to play puzzle games.
